Great project and good for you for pursuing it. Please keep us updated with photos.

For some inspiration look here http://clarksclassicflyrodforum.yuku.com/topic/38025/My-Latest-PROJECT
Chris aka Greenwell is one of the finest classic reel makers still plying his trade. There are over 40 pages of photos and information. Much can be learned about the craft from this one source as he documents his progress step by step with text and images.

Great project and good for you for pursuing it. Please keep us updated with photos.

For some inspiration look here http://clarksclassicflyrodforum.yuku.com/topic/38025/My-Latest-PROJECT
Chris aka Greenwell is one of the finest classic reel makers still plying his trade. There are over 40 pages of photos and information. Much can be learned about the craft from this one source as he documents his progress step by step with text and images.

TC

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I have been following Chris's post for quite some time. His work is off the charts and while inspiring is also humbling, He is a craftsman in the 1st degree.

This is really amazing. I think I may have a similar lathe that I use for my hardware (HF 8X12), is a mill absolutly necessary or would a milling vise attachment be enough to do the milling work required to make a reel. I'm not sure my machining skills are up to a reel yet but it is tempting. I'm also interested in your anodizing method, could you explain how it works?

This is really amazing. I think I may have a similar lathe thant I use for my hardware (HF 8X12), is a mill absolutly necessary or would a milling vise attachment be enough to do the milling work required to make a reel. I'm not sure my machining skills are up to a reel yet but it is tempting. I'm also interested in your anodizing method, could you explain how it works?

Thanks for the neat thread.

Mike

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Anodizing is really pretty simple. It uses a solution of Sufuric Acid and Water. I just went to Napa and bought some battery acid and diluted it to the right mix. Then you place a piece of aluminum in the solution with the negative terminal hooked to it, this is called the cathode> )in the picture it is the flat piece that goes down in the bucket and comes back out the other side. Then you take your part and suspended it in the solution with aluminum wire making sure it does not touch the cathode. Your part is the anode. You connect the positive terminal to it. I use a DC 12 volt battery charger to run 2 amps through it for 90 minutes. the dye is RIT Clothing dye mixed strong and heated to 150F. After the part comes out of the anodizing you rinse it in water and place it in the bath for 15 seconds to 20 minutes depending on the color you want. The last step is to boil it in water for 2 hours to seal the dye in. All water must be distilled water or the minerals will cause poor anodizing and coloring. If you do a google search for home anodizing there is a lot of info, that is where i got mine.

I can't imagine making a reel without a mill, but is suppose it could be done. Mine is just a Small Grizzly Mill/Drill. When I get a chance I will post a picture.

third... did you get any metal shavings in your finger tips? I hate that.

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Just a shade over 6 oz. Definitely a trout reel. Spool Diameter is 3" with a 1" Arbor, 3/4 inside width, don't know how much line and backing. My finger tips are OK, when you work with sharp metal you develop tough skin.

Just when you think the quality of posts here are getting a little...less than interesting, one like this pops up! I will never make anything like a reel, of any kind, but I really enjoyed this post. Thanks KB2 for sharing your obvious talent and skill.